Office of Marriage & Family Life

Order of Celebrating Matrimony
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Consult the text of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony to gain a deeper understanding of the rite including how to prepare for its celebration.

The introduction section of the Order of Celebratng Matrimony provides a very helpful explanation of how the Church understands and reverences the Sacrament of Matrimony. Pastoral Assistants for Faith Formation, Marriage Coordinators and others who work in marriage preparation can benefit from reading the first 11 paragraphs in the introduction as they provide helpful context for the reasons why the Church asks for proper preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Gaudium et spes

The second chapter in Part II (Paragraphs 48-52) of Gaudium et Spes or the Pastoral Constitution on the Church from the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) provides a very helpful description of how the Church understands marriage. 

FOCCUS Marriage Inventories

FOCCUS offers training that "Facilitate Open, Caring Communication, Understanding and Study." 

• For a parish to register with FOCCUS for marriage inventories, go here.

• To become a facilitator for FOCCUS, go here.

• For engaged couples looking to find a FOCCUS facilitator, click here to find the directory.​​​​

Everything I Have is Yours

This pubilcation from Archbishop Sartain provides a beautiful exploration of the theology of marriage that engaged coupels will find encouraging and helpful. Please share these pamphlets with engaged couples preparing for marriage. Pamphlets are available in both English and Spanish.

To order copies for your parish, please call the Marriage and Family Life Office at (206) 382-4864 or send an email to Deacon Eric Paige at eric.paige@seattlearch.org.